I truly related to you in this video. I had to step back and stop comparing myself to others. That is the biggest cause of my burnout. We have to remember to make our journey personal. It is more fun that way.

Great video. I recently cut my collection down. It was not enough to like a pen I had, I needed to be writing with it. My collection now is smaller but i am using all the pens in it. I am far happier with my collection now.

I always look forward to your videos! Thank you for putting yourself out there! I truly understand the burn out, but for me instead of selling everything, I put it away for a few days, like right now I have been burned out with daily journaling. I haven’t journaled in over a month, which I have beat myself up over since both of my daughters are seniors. One a senior in college and the other is a senior in high school. These are such precious times, but I think for me, it has not been my pens or my journal, but that it’s just an overwhelming time. It really has nothing to do with my pens and journal, but the reality yesterday my life is drastically changing. So thank you for your video! Thank you for helping me to address my burnout!

Karina, I enjoyed your discussion of burnout. For me, using, writing with my pens is much more important than owning a pen. I remind my self I am not a collector but an enthusiast. In the last year I purchased a beautiful hand made pen box made by Ray Jones. It was not a need but brings me joy and allows me to display my pens. When I ordered a box, I chose a box that would hold 20 pens. That is my limit. I have been using fountain pens for more than twenty years. I currently own 15 pens. For me to buy a pen it has to be very special to me. When I hit twenty pens, I will have to sell or gift a pen before I buy another. Thank you for your thoughtful exploration of our hobby.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and reflections on this important topic. I resonated with a lot of your points, and I agree that social media can be wonderful and stressful when it comes to engaging in hobbies. I’m newer into the fountain pen hobby, but I went through a similar burnout with other hobbies in the past, and it really got me down. I deactivated my IG account last June, and while I sometimes feel fomo, I was in a place where I couldn’t have a healthy relationship with it, so I ended it for the time being. I like how KZfaq sparks a lot of great conversation and authenticity. I’m also glad you were able to reconnect with your joy to the hobby - that felt like a very nice conclusion to your video to me! 💗

Total respect for your honesty!!! I appreciate you telling it like it is. I ventured into the hobby at the same time you did. I've done a hard stop on purchases. I'm enjoying what I have. Note for pen hobbyists: Stay away from the KZfaq online retailer podcasts. I'm looking at you Goulet Pens! They are slick, well-produced full movie length advertisements 😅

Thanks for sharing this important conversation, Karyna. Even though I'm new getting back into fountain pens, I do find myself overwhelmed at times and I need to step back. I don't want to step away from the community, though, so it's really helpful for me to draw a distinction between the collecting and the community. Thanks for your calm voice of reason! 😊

GREAT video. It has really made me think. Burnout may mean different things to different people so I can relate in varying ways. Thanks so much Karyna.

Been feeling some type of way since February. I bought 4 pens in one month, and went thru a ton of emotions, especially when two of them didn’t perform as expected out of the box. Couldn’t place a word to describe the feeling, but it put me off of buying pens for a little bit. I mean, it’s also enough to hold me over because it’s been the equivalent of one pen a month. I haven’t had as much enthusiasm over new releases either. It helped me catch what was real joy over a new pen release versus what was actually fomo-induced joy. I kinda want to make a video about this too. Don’t know if I will, but at the very least, thank you and liane and pen boy Roy for putting a term to this and making me realize what it is.

You were the first person I found when I started looking into fountain. And just like you said I bonded and enjoy your post and video, it’s like watching a friend and you feel you know them in a way. I get what you are saying and will always look forward to any video you make. Always take the time for yourself ❤

Thank you for this episode, you are very relatable! This popped up in my feed and I am glad it did, I subscribed. It is easy to ignore what is really happening, I appreciate authentic and real chats!

Amazing, amazing video. Thank you so much for articulating a lot of what I have been feeling lately. This has been very eye opening and thought provoking.

What a breath of fresh air, thank you for your honesty and philosophical thoughts about the topic! I hope the guilt subsides because your videos inspire so many folks, including me. I know it’s also complicated so I appreciate this video that looks at multiple sides, thank you!

Love this video Karyna! One of the things I enjoy most about this hobby is the low barrier of entry and how regardless of budget almost anyone can join in the fun. I truly applaud when my favorite creators talk about the pressure that can come along and make people feel they need more and/or expensive pens in order to keep up. Of course it’s not the case but it can feel that way. A favorite experience I had was recently going to a new pen group meeting which had a few kids in attendance. I assumed at first they were dragged along but soon discovered the kids had small collections of pens, favorite papers, etc and were eager to talk about them. It was so refreshing and a wonderful reminder that what I love most is seeing others joy in this hobby and learning about the pens they truly love. As a note, the Pilot metropolitan was a firm favorite among the kids and what a great choice!

I was lucky enough never to have felt pressure to purchase more than I needed when it came to fountain pens. I'm still here with the same handful of pens since my first video way back when. I do think avoiding social media has helped. I spend a lot of time enjoying writing and stationery offline, building up experiences that I will share sometime in the future. I do enjoy your videos and admire your commitment to creating and sharing! Great video and really interesting topic. Thanks Karyna and all the best for your recovery. Sending positive vibes from Vancouver.

This is so helpful, Karyna. I took a break from social media for almost 2 years because of the very things you mention; the pressure of FOMO, comparison, monies spent, fast accumulation, etc. I have way too many planner covers and pens I haven't touched in 2 years. I'm now looking to destash and become more intentional in what I actually use or things I enjoy. I don't know where the best place is to destash pens, but I'm going to begin that process. (Edited: I am watching another of your videos and you mention Virtual Pen Show on IG, so I'll give that a try! Thank you!!) If it helps someone just beginning the journey, that will bring me the joy that I've been missing. Thanks so much for sharing!

Thank you for your honest video about fountain pen burn out. Helpful for me to understand feelings of burn out in another hobby, it is easy to get overwhelmed by all the content, nice products. Taking a break, questioning myself what attracted me to the hobby at first, helped me

Great video Karyna and I can totally relate. I got sucked in to the ‘new and shiny’ items, in several areas not just fountain pens - social media is one great big advertisement really. The more I watch, the more I feel like the market is becoming flooded with products; makeup, skincare, pens, inks, it just seems to be getting worse. What is it that we’re really all searching for when we buy these items? Instant gratification is great but not when it’s the thief of pure joy and appreciation. Much love xx

Thank you so much. I got into fountain pens because of watching you but lately just do t feel it. This helps a lot. Going thru the same thing with stickers!

Karina, so that you know some of your videos helped me making decisions. I also appreciate your honesty. I hope you recover from burnout whether you stay in this media or out. Good luck.

I've watched a few of your videos and have always enjoyed them, but this is the one that made me subscribe. Thanks for being authentic. I'm still new to the hobby and I'm already trying to figure out ways to limit myself to avoid burn out.

A great video and an important one. As delightful as it is to wake up to one of your videos, and believe me it is a treat, I hope you are getting the time off you need from content creation. I’m in awe of how you and other content creators generously share of your time and your talents. Believe me, it’s appreciated.

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this video. You raise an extremely important issue that few people want to talk about. Few people have the courage to admit to burning out their passion. You are absolutely right that social media is driving this whole machine. You also mention the desire to make a name for yourself in the rather hermetic community of fountain pen enthusiasts. Admittedly, I don't have social media myself, but I sit on fountain pen forums and often feel mismatched, lost and inferior because I don't buy pens for millions of dollars.

Really appreciate this video, so thoughtful, so grounding …..within a joyful hobby x

Thank you for this video, such honesty and insights. I truly appreciate this in so many ways. I've recently came to some conclusions around my Happy Planner hoard with all the many, many, many sticker books I have. I've switched planners. I stopped but realized as well I need to focus on the things that bring me joy in relationship to my planning. I love this hobby because it's such a HUGE creative outlet in my life. I've been working on pairing down things but only buy what truly makes me happy and to gift others with some of the 'collection'. Thanks again for this video. I really enjoy watching. I love the idea of the fountain pen but just not ready. I know this is okay but I still love watching you swatch your inks and show off your beautiful pens. Keep on doing what brings you joy!

Thank you for this video❤. O foind it very helpful on several levels.

I appreciate you in this community. I’ve learned a lot from you. I consider myself a fountain pen novice but thanks to you and others you have helped me deepen my love for these pens. I feel excited and special using my pens everyday. I feel fancy! It’s the little luxuries in life for me. It’s definitely not about high end pens. Don’t let pen snobs get to you. My Pelikan Twist puts the biggest smile on my face and that’s what matters most 😊

Thank you for your honesty. I'm certain a lot of people can relate to it.

Hi. Thank you for your video. As a psychologist, I can say that your thoughts are well addressed. Congratulations on the iniciative. That`s an important matter to discuss since this lovely hobby is imerged in social media and consumism. We need to rethink some things related to it. Not only with FPs, but in general. Cheers!

Thank you. This has helped me. I am where you were. I need to go back to what brings me joy.

Perfect topic and it hasn’t happened to me in pens, but it has definitely happened in other areas. I appreciate your sincere discussion and I know that it is important and it is something we all will experience at some point! Feeling like we are not alone is very important and helpful. Thank you

I am with ya on all these things. Hugs. 🥰 I got into it 14 years ago & left it for over 13 years to have a young kid & focus on family & work. It was a good break. But now, I only buy for my art work needs & no more because saving money & having time to do your life & being happy & healthy is very important. I hope you find a life balance soon. 💙💜❤️🥰 Thank you.

Hi Karyna, thank you for showing vulnerability and being honest about feeling burnout. It must have been overwhelming for you. I have just started my pen journey and have already been swept up in it too quickly buying 3 pLatinum pens within a month. I get anxious and overwhelmed quite easily so decided that that will do for now and am buying samples of ink as they can get expensive too. I became more minimalist a few years ago and that helped with my anxiety, but it would be even harder being a content creator. Enjoy watching your videos.

Wonderful video! I think this will help a lot of people.

I hit that smash button! I can't really relate to the burn out in the fountain pen hobby... I am still getting my sea legs when it comes to this hobby. I love all the content that I have consumed and I love all the pens that are now in my collection (and inks!) Thank you for sharing your perspective. Know that I really appreciate it.

Thank you Karina for sharing your experience with us. I didn’t know it was such a thing. I started following you from the HP Community but now I’m Common planner & Hobonichi. For awhile I didn’t want to purchase custom pens because they started to all look alike. I was trying to use all of my pens at once. So I reduced my currently inked, stayed off social media for a little bit and that helped bring me out of the slump. Now I can enjoy the collection of pens, nibs and inks.

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you so much for sharing. I too have experienced burnout and it definitely comes after periods of high accumulation, and I too want to sell everything and start over. I just never do. 😂😂 I am really sad when people feel left out because they don’t have this, that, or the other thing. No, you’re part of the community if you have a fountain pen and enjoy it or use it or have questions about it or thoughts and feelings. All you have is a preppy? You’re in! Heck… no, I take that back. you’re part of the community even if you’re just expressing interest in a fountain pen but don’t have one (yet).

Great video! I’ve tried so many pens over the years and decided I really want a small collection that represents my favorite brands. I don’t need 10 pens with a Jowo nib. One Vanishing point is sufficient even though I see so many beautiful ones I would like to have. At the end of the day…I want to reduce clutter and focus on pens that I pick up on a regular basis.

Lovely beautiful video, Karyna! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. This is definitely a topic that is not talked about much in the fountain pen community since there's just so much influx of new pens, new inks, and the constant need to stay relevant in this economy as it is such a niche hobby. I think everyone will come to a point of experiencing some form of fountain pen burnout during their journey and you pointed out a lot of key factors that play huge roles in this. I think I would love to join in on the conversation and express my own feelings since I recently dove into a deep moment of depressed thoughts about my life that are affected by my pen hobby choices, but I was able to process and move through it. It really hits hard when it hits at a very vulnerable moment and then it can linger on steadily if you don't address it. I love how you gracefully reminded people to be kind in the comments section because we are not here to be mean to each other, we're here to share and learn from each other, and a screen should not make us forget that we can be kind to each other with our words. In this community, we are all enjoying this hobby at our own different paces - and that's perfectly fine! The only thing we should compare if you even need to compare - and only need to have in common are our passion and love for the hobby.

Thank you for this video! I could not agree more with everything you’ve said.

Thank you for this video ❤

Thank you for this video. I love watching your pen and ink videos. Your voice soothes me. Recently I also came to the conclusion that I have too many pens and I don't write with them every day. I decided to sell or give away a few. I'm at the stage of deciding which ones will become me. I also made a note to myself that I would only buy one pen per year. Maybe it will work :⁠-⁠)

I appreciate your content because you have always seemed authentic and enthusiastic about the hobby. Thank you so much for talking about this topic, it takes courage to do so. I am experiencing some of your “symptoms” and it is encouraging to know that I am not alone. I have faith that the good intentions that brought us into the hobby will prevail and bring us peace and joy - perhaps even more deeply felt after going through a challenging period. ❤

I love this. I also sometimes feel the FOMO. But thanks for reminding that we should enjoy and cherish the activity not on the things we have. Dont compare, use as inspiration only. If you can affod then you can try for the “experience” ❤

This video was going in so many different directions, from talking about burnout and to giving people a lesson on how we should let you and other people just be, buy it all that your heart desires so long is not causing problems in other areas of your life, like... finances ❤ I also hear a lot of disappointment, that dose of dopamine is gone and is getting boring but will ignite because that is how it is with anything we are passionate about, we pour our hearts out, it's all natural. Sending love to anyone who needs this today❤❤

Just like the other great comments, thanks for your take. I almost had burn out, but I wrangled myself in and stopped buying, re-evaluated things, came up with a plan that works for me. Now I rotate thru my pens (treating them like friends), and only shifting to another when the converter runs out. I've even made random gifts of some to others - that's also gratifying.

Watching a lot of pen videos, the dynamics of addiction seem evident for some. And I think some of the videos of some content creators stoke or encourage addictive patterns--unwittingly, I think. It is a wonderful hobby, but needing to have more and more pens and inks and notebooks when one already has so much, more than one can actually use, and sometimes more than one can afford, involves some unhealthy dynamics, I think. One has to really be self-aware and self-critical, even while enjoying the hobby and the many good videos available. There has be to a lot more appreciation of what one has, rather than dissatisfaction for what one doesn't, I think. Consumerism works precisely by creating dissatisfaction, so that one purchases the next new thing; so one has to be careful not to allow oneself to be manipulated.

As the saying goes (and you note well), comparison is the thief of joy! Love your videos.

I dont know what I'm feeling right now right now for me I'm feeling disappointment about my pens about my community about my status with youtube ... I've been putting videos on youtube for going on 20 years and I'm still not a full partner its me I know it is I might not be everyone cup of tea and thats fine but I think I have something to contribute to the world weather people want to watch me is up to them. talk about feelings of missing out ... I think you are a wonderful creator your videos always bring a sense of stable joy to my feed and I appreciate all you do for our little community its growing so fast.

❤ c’est tellement vrai ! La comparaison vole le bonheur ! Je suis en train de traverser cette expérience de burn-out et de frustration permanente ! Merci beaucoup pour cette vidéo 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏽❤

appreciate this video so much Karyna. I too watched Liane Likes and BoyRoy's videos a propo of FP burnout and I could relate big time. I just want to chill and enjoy my pens instead of being on the look out for the next one I need to buy and/or FOMO. I found that being on a no pen buy, has helped me get me out of my funk, also not consuming as much SM content. I just went through my whole collection the other day, I got out pens that I had not been using, I tested nibs that I'd given the shove, and it just brought me so much joy. I started my YT channel to share the little things of my FP journey with like minded, but I noticed that no one really viewed the little things videos, the NEW PEN day or the Currently Inked vids got the most views, and that was discouraging to me. I think that was also a burn out moment for me . A lot of energy goes into making videos... So yeah, all this to say, I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling these feels. 😅

I went through burnout as well with a full time creative career I had and had to step back a bit from that.. Now, I'm into creative journaling which has helped me a lot since this is my new outlet of creativity. I am scared I might burnout too with this new found joy of creativity, so I'm trying to be careful not to burnout.. I am taking notes from your experience. Thank you for sharing, Karyna.

Thanks so much, Karyna. Really appreciate this because I've come to some kind of crossroads, too. I'm on a pen-and-ink-buying moratorium and have also not been watching as many KZfaqs, though I really like you all.😅

Thank you!!! I wasn't feeling burnout but I also was really sad about missing on pens. I cannot afford most pens currently but seeing everyone enjoy is fun and little sad. But, I also remember we have resellers so hopefully I will find it again if it's meant to be. Also smash that button is such a Safiya phrase xD

This is a great video Karyna. I’m thankful for my non-existent presence on social media. With the exception of KZfaq. Getting away from social media has really helped with the fountain pen burnout. But honestly and even more importantly it has helped in a lot of other ways. Your channel and only one other are the two I follow on KZfaq. I have discovered everything I have wanted following you and Anderson Pens. At one point I felt that I was wanting to like something and it wasn’t happening naturally. Like you said forced. Thankfully I was able to get past that quickly because that most likely would have ended up pushing me out of the hobby permanently. I may consume more videos or other posts when researching a possible purchase. Simply because if I’m going to spend a few hundred dollars or more on a pen or anything else for that matter I want to do my due diligence. Nobody needs to have any specific pen, amount of pens, or spent a certain amount to be a part of the community. You are right on point. Thankfully I have a few close friends who I am able to spend time with in person who enjoy fountain pens. It helps keep the hobby enjoyable. Plus the conversations you and I have had regarding pens, journals, and planners has been incredibly enjoyable. I really liked this video Karyna. Your willingness to share about your experiences and how you were able to continue to enjoy the hobby and community is amazing.

Thank you for this video! It's what I needed to hear because I feel super alone these days; everyone seems to be enjoying all their stationery and I just want to get rid of everything I have aside from one single notebook and a ballpoint because I am just SO tired. Consumerism, receiving products samples, not creating for myself anymore, not being able to really enjoy pens/inks/paper before new ones come in, not having enough space, comparing myself to others with any kind of talent. And so on and so on. Add life to it (also winter fatigue) and it's not a good mix 😂 I'm stepping down for sure. I might sell of some items eventually when I find some focus. But really, I am going to keep a single notebook and a ballpoint for me - for planning, journaling and whatever. Then a separate notebook for content creation with fountain pens in form of quotes like I used to do before. Hopefully that will help! And I'll take it from there while I shift my mindset to a more healthy one. While I am happy to hear others share their own experience I am sorry to hear you felt this way. So so happy you are in a better place now. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing your thoughts and feelings ❤️

I gpt back and forth to planning and my stationery collection. Haven't used any of it much in the past several months, but I can feel the itch again. I have the luxury of coming and going, but if your work depends on being present and having something to say every week... Recipe for burnout. Take the time you need. We'll be here when you're ready.

I totally can understand what you’re going through. There’s always a new pen, always a latest edition and limited edition like you said. And I was getting caught up in that rat race. It’s not good for your mental health either. So I have put a halt to this want want want. Because I can’t afford it and it was causing me frustration. Because I couldn’t have it. I’m glad you voiced this because I think a lot of people were feeling like this. I have not been into this hobby very long and it was already consuming me. Thanks for sharing.

Since a few months I have gone off the "new pen" videos because they became just uncomfortable and stressful to watch. But I still love new ink videos. It just isn't possible to be buying or having as many pens as youtubers and content creators have and it's really unpleasant after a while. With inks it's different because you can have samples etc. so it's more feasible. I think you're video was really honest and smart and thank you for saying it because sometimes you just have to say no to some content and realize what is good for you.

Thank you for making this thoughtful video, Karyna. Thank you for creating a space for us to think and share about this topic. I have always been a hobbyist. Be it scuba diving, cooking, gardening, quilting, indoor plants, planners, pens or ink. Hobbies are a part of me. However, I pay very close attention to my relationship with my hobby. My hobbies tell me when I’m escaping and when I’m not coping well with every day life. They tell me when I’m ignoring my budget. I ask myself, will I feel guilty?” or “why in the world do I feel guilty?” about buying this pen. Do I feel guilty for doing something just for me. Am I “protest planning” in that I’m playing with my stationary because I’m just sick of spreading myself thin. Or, maybe I’m asserting myself and my joy of solitary hobbies. I think the term you used was just, perfect…..”symptoms of your burnout”. I can be intolerant of the symptoms and just try to eradicate the evidence. Sell everything, organize, give away. Now, after so many years and self acceptance, I simply pay attention and try to be present with my purchases. For me, it’s at the time of purchase when I need to do the gut check. I know my energy and interests enough to say, I will never use that in which case, I won’t buy it. I also know when I’m not sure if I’ll use it, but sense that something will truly inspire me to use it; like watercolor or gouache paint. For my existing possessions, that served some sort of purpose, be it emotional or functional, if it makes me squirm when I see it, I must bless it, thank it, and let it go.

I have been burned out on fountain pens since October. I took a look at my collection and thought - I really don’t need all these pens. I don’t want more pens. I’ve tried so many at this point I honestly don’t think I will gain anything substantial by buying any more. So I put most up for sale and have whittled down to about 25, which is still more than I “need.,” but it’s enough for variety. I stopped watching most fountain pen content because it just felt like a consumerism hole. All this long-winded comment to say - I feel ya! It’s ok to be content with what you have. And to cut down on social media.

I started collecting fountain pens about 6 years ago when I had started contracting and needed a quick way to capture notes in meetings. Every time I completed a big project I decided to treat myself to a new pen as a reward. The way I look at my collection is that it represents certain stages of my work and successes.

Thanks for this very insightful chat. I can only imagine how easy it must be for someone to experience burnout when they are also producing content (and pethaps feeling pressure to keep putting our content regularly). I hope the content creators know that when the non-influencers among us experience burnout, we may need to expose ourselves to less video content. For me, burnout is not just about making less purchases, although that is certainly part of it. It also feels like a stepping back from all if it is necessary sometimes -- the ink swatching, the currently inked videos, the unboxings -- it can feel like I'm spending my time AND my money in the wrong way. I have solved this, in part, by really thinking about which content creators I like most and spending my time with them while ignoring the other videos that pop up in my feed. Because as you say, it's ultimately about the people and not the pens. Similarly, I try to spend my hobby time on the activities I enjoy, rather than mindless scrolling. Being mindful of what you're doing and why is the key. Whatever decision works for us at the life stage we're in can be the right one. I actually need to watch myself on inks too, and make sure I'm not just buying inks because they are cheaper than pens and I want to continue to buy something...anything. Or because of FOMO -- if I have a dozen teal inks already, do I really need this new teal ink because everyone is talking about it? Burnout keeps my consumerism in check, and that is a good thing. It is an emotional response that protects me from myself long enough to let my reasoning brain kick in.

Buying fountain pens was getting out of hand, because I kept noticing that the pens that I couldn't wait to get were laid to the side while I was buying and experiencing a newer pen. I'm not against trying out new fountain pens because perhaps there is one that is extremely comfortable for the individual's hand/grip. After your video yesterday I calculated the money I saved by not buying the two newest pens that I wanted and now that money can be saved for pens I'm really wanting to try. Definitely going to enjoy the pens I have now and stick with the very short goals list of fountain pens that I want to buy in the future.

Hello Karyna, I appreciate your honesty and pointing out the things that can cause a burnout. I am guilty of „wanting the next big thing“ before enjoying my collection and gladly my budget sets the limit. For me, the unboxing videos have big value (only if they are honest!!) because I can better evaluate if a pen would be comfortable for me- f.ex. Simone talking about her M800 green demonstrator being just a tad too short and small (grip) brought me to the conclusion, that this holy grail is not for me. And I crossed it happily from my list. You’re right that the community grew very fast due to social media, what brings companies to throw out new pens on the market every week. And I noticed also an increase of prices (of course). That’s my only „explanation“ for buying classics from my wishlist -like the Lamy 2000 or Pilot capless- now and not waiting for fountain pen day in November. As for limited editions, I’m overthinking and then they are mostly sold out -so that saves me ☺️ For future I would LOVE to see more „exploring my collection“ from creators. Just taking a pen and inking with different inks and comparing that f.ex. Or making the explorations like you did. It doesn’t have to be only „currently inked“ and „new haul“ videos.

Thanks

I heard someone say on another video if you’re buying your own pens to have content then you’re doing this wrong. I can’t afford to be trendy or competitive in the race to get these pens so thanks for that!! My guy friend has been buying fountain pens since the late 70s and he has about 50 pens so it’s bewildering to me when people say they’ve been part of this community a few years and they have 90 pens. Great video, it has some valid points

I left a comment earlier, maybe it was deleted... Your collection and videos are some in the FP 'community' that I always looked at with admiration. I thought you just enjoyed having a ton of pens!😀 The Fountain pen subreddit has helped me navigate the consumerist bend of the stationery industry. On the FP subreddit so many people share their 5, 6, 7 pen collection and I'm so happy to see people find their 'pen peace'. I have found pen peace but after about 20-something pens (some of them I've gotten rid of over time 😅)

Thanks for that.

I really appreciated this video! I did not see PenBoyRoy's yet but I will go and watch it. I am not a youtube content creator, just a consumer I guess. But I have been in the FP community for about 2 1/2 years and I am kind of overwhelmed at how many pens I have now and I try to sell them, but I feel like the amount of social media coming at me is on warp speed and I just browse my email and I get the latest and greatest delivered to me on a daily basis. I really feel like I have a wonderful collection, but I honestly don't think I will ever be able to sell them and recoup any money. I did see that Vincenzo from Fountain Pen Therapy was revisiting some old pens that he had not touched in years and that is probably something we all should do with our collections. Revive some of the old neglected pens that we have forgotten about and see why we maybe bought them in the first place. I think I'm going to try that approach instead of buying something new. Also, I am a big vintage pen person. I recently bought a Parker douofold Yellow mandarin barrel and then used parts that I had from a black duofold and created a frankenpen that looks like a bumblebee. It has a vintage flex nib on it too! Doing things like that can be fun and interesting and can make you appreciate the things you have laying around when you can turn them into something unique. I liked seeing your face in this video too! Thank you!

thanks for sharing

I feel this way as well, but to a lesser extent because I don't post much on social media about it (so no pressure for content). But I've accumulated too much still, and have spent too much, while admiring things in other people's collections. I'm trying to reassess now and have sold three pens already this weekend (a lot for me!). I definitely need to stop scouring the Coming Soon sections on websites and focus on enjoying the pens and inks I already have and genuinely love. I'll always want to try new things, I just need to slow it down a little. 😅

Love this and thank you. Agree social media is a double edge sword. I truly think it's more consumerism more so foe me than burnout

Being meta about my fountain pen hobby, Pen Royboy spurred an epiphany about it, and summed up in pen, ink, paper, ideas & experiences, and mind. With a good accumulation of pens with various sizes & uses, it has lead me to writing poems during cherry blossom season in the patk, and my last ink purchase of Kon Peki. Commercial burnout is not worth the guilt & shame, and lucky that the eureka moment has me focused on pen experiences. Hope you find your own, and write on.

Video really spoke to me. Long time crafter (project life/December daily) whose hobby developed along side the massive growth of social media. This video was a wake up call for me to get off instagram as the dopamine hit of scoring either a deal or finding something “exclusive” is too strong for me. I was heavily influenced by social media this 12 months into trying a bunch of new expensive hobbies-first crazy washi and sticker hauls, then fountain pens, then crocheting and knitting. Im in the midst of battling an incurable cancer so I just indulged in all the things but recently, I spent nearly 1000 dollars on two pens that I haven’t even inked up because I don’t like how they feel in hand. I think i only bought them because of the limited edition hoopla the creator creates around each fortnightish launch. Each hobby cycle of obsession seems to last about three months for me until I get burnt out. Reminds me of the social media manipulation scenes in the documentary, “The Social Dilemma.”

Thank you for your vulnerability Karyna. I have not gone through an extended period of burnout yet, but I have definitely had, “What the heck are you doing?” moments. I try hard not to jump from one “cool” pen to another following trends if you will. That said, there are so many pens out there, new or vintage, that I could obsessively buy pens with no need for a trend. Limiting my time scrolling social media REALLY helps me. Letter writing is my main way to use my pens (other than work notes) and I try to focus there. Crossword puzzles have also been a blast lately, online so far, but i want to get some book so I can use my pens. Lastly, it must be so hard as a content creator. I know that my mood can live or die (at least for a few minutes) on the likes I get on a post, that must be exponentially more difficult for people who have channels to maintain. Keep well and let’s have FUN with our pens most of all.

As far as burnout is concerned, I fell into the hobby around 2012 and I bought a lot of things and then I got to the point where I felt like I had so much that I was no longer into the new and shiny and went through close to a decade of not buying anything new (pen or ink. I was still hoarding the first iteration of TRP paper and notebooks). Now granted, I write every day because I plan and I journal so I was using my pens...just not consuming during that time. Now (within the last 2 years) I've delved back into the hobby and have been buying the things, but I am feeling as if I'm due for another cycle of just enjoying what I have without anything new. I have over 80 pens and more than 100 bottles (I'm so close to emptying my first bottle of ink) and I'm getting that urge to just use what I have and enjoy what I have...well outside of that perfect pastel pen I am coveting.

You are one of my favourite fountain pen content creators, Karyna. Your videos are always among my priorities to watch when it comes to KZfaq time. But I'd rather you have the enjoyment of the hobby than I have more Karyna videos to watch. Please don't ever feel like you're letting people down if you take a step back from doing unboxings or "buying for content." I mention this because you mention being "guilty" of producing content about consumption, but I bet you get tons of views on that content. We, your viewers, like it! But I'm in the same boat as you--I watch them because I want to see what Karyna or Simone or Katie or Elyse or whoever think about their new pens, not so much for the new stuff itself. I'd also love to watch content about your pens over time, or a Zentangle With Me, or about your ink paintings, or whatever else you want to do with this space. And if that's nothing, that's okay too. You deserve your hobby spaces to be places for fun, not pressure.

I limit myself to 10 fountain pens and max. 3 different inks. If I really "need" a new pen, I have to figure out which one has to go first. I want to use and enjoy them and 10 is for me already the upper limit to fully appreciate them individually. Also only if I used up one ink I will buy very consciously a new one as it will be with me during my actual writing experience for a considerable time. I set limits to not stumble into the unconscious traps of fomo or acquisition just for owning things instead of really using and enjoying them.

Been to the hobby Dec 2023, it’s about how you enjoy the pen and ink and paper and not the price. If you’re happy with cheap brand that is fantastic so be it. Contentment is a gift, as opposed to non stop buying to satisfy an unsatisfiable lust. It’s just a hobby to release some stress if the hobby becomes stressful it’s time for a change. More power to you 🙃

My motto has recently become. A good pen is a pen you love to write with. A great pen is a pen you love to write with every day. My goal is to get my collection of pens down to collection of good pens and eventually great pens. I think that's the path of contentment. It's not what is "new" or "trendy" it is curating a collection that I love writing with every day. If the next new pen brings that joy and I fall out of love for one then its an even swap. But why keep pens that I don't love? I don't want to accumulate a hoard of pens like a Tolkien dragon. I don't want to have to acclimate to my hoard of stuff. I want the BIlbo life. A few great pens (my pen garden) and a lot of great people! Cheers! ^_^

This is coming at a great time. My tastes have changed and I have so many pens I want to let go of so I can focus on the ones that do give me joy. I have enjoyed watching you so much. Please keep posting. I would love to see a video on the process of actually selling pens. I know with your store, you would have the ability to produce labels, etc. I would love someone to guide us through the "how to" part from start to finish. I don't understand what the types of payment means and how it works. I've rambled too long. Thanks again.

Hi, my experience it’s very similar to yours and many people as well. In my case it’s phasic. I have this phases of buying a lot, being obsessed, then regretting the purchases and wanting to sell it all (burn out), but with different hobbies each time. Retro games, fountain pens, you name it. In my case it’s closely related with my life satisfaction, when I’m unsatisfied and disengaged with my responsibilities, habits, studies, I tend to focus on obsessive hobbies and the common thing is consumerism, aka buying things. I don’t really know the cause, but I hope my experience can help you shed some life in your situation.

I think the culture around using social media and consumerism in general can send anyone down a rabbit hole of seeking a rush from fixating on a category of things and then trying to find the next best thing to keep the happy feelings going. And it just so happens, fountain pens are a category of product that are highly collectible. Plus-despite the community growing pretty quickly-it’s still small enough to feel truly niche, which adds to its allure. All this is to say, I think the world is sort of set up for us to lean into our desire to own things we like and almost obsessively acquire them, whether it’s fountain pens or something else. As a serial hobbyist I’ve seen similar things happen to people (including myself) who collect everything from records to sneakers, handbags, and Pokémon cards. Personally it’s not about comparison for me and I’ve not reached burnout per se, but I do know my personality is susceptible to this culture of consumerism and I try to check myself by working through what I know to be the irrational impulses that make me feel like I NEED to have things just because I like them, or because I somehow associate my collection of objects to be an expression of my personality. I have to actively remind myself that I am who I am and I like what I like regardless of whether I have physical evidence to hold in my hand. I don’t have anything to prove to myself, and I’m not a different person or missing a part of myself if the stuff I admire doesn’t live rent free in my space.

I had seen this before. Pen Habit's Matt had called it off 6 years ago. Hope you come out strong.. But i totally get you. KZfaq doesn't pay enough to buy so many pens. Mathematically, its too much to buy new pens every week.

I kinda feel privileged because well... I've never even thought of the concept of fountain pen burnout before, for many reasons. One small reason may be that I've been introduced into the hobby fairly recently. I've only learned about the existence of fountain pens in May 2022, and I've only purchased my first one a month later. That may be a reason but the bigest factor is that... I've been sheltered. For my whole journey until more recently that I'd like to admit, I was limited to the pen store that I worked at. I only focussed on the brands that we carried, about their quick history, their products, etc... But I never went that far beyond that. It's only since last fall that I've started to expand my knowledge and... Holy Cross there are so many things that I missed!! We don't carry much, and the littlwe we carry are either legacy brands (Sheaffer, Parker, Waterman...) or "luxurious" brands (Caran d'Ache, ST Dupont, Pelikan...). We do carry brands like TWSBI, Lamy, Esterbrook... But outside of the pen community hey're overlooked by our snob customer base that only wants ballpoints corporate gifts... (I'm not saying they're not selling well, our Safaris and Ecos sells by the shovel!). So outside of our regulars, I had little to no contact with the outside world. That is, until my saviour Karina Palacio (check her instagram @kari.bullet.journal !) came in clutch! She usually does promotion for our pen store and other retailors/distributors/brands, but we became super friends and she finally made me touch grass for the first time. What. A. Revelation. With lots of convincing from her, my boss allowed me to go to Scriptus, the Toronto pen show, and although I was limited to our own table, I had a little break to eat a bit and roam around the show. Kari immediatly took me by the ear and made me buy a vintage pen (Parker Vacuumatic, 1947) and this opened the door to a whole new world So... You're telling me that I've been missing out on brands like Benu? Leonardo? Aurora? You're telling me that Esterbrooks are actually loved in the community? You're telling me Parker, Cross, and aaall the legacy brands used to make genuine innovations on filling systems and materials? My whole world was turned upside down. I had almost learned everything there was to know about the products we carried, but now I was able to learn not only about other brands, but to RELEARN everything I knew about the ones I carried, on a duration of more than a HUNDRED YEAR!! Since then, I've been on a bookworm rampage. I learned about pre-WWI Waterman, the different filling systems, what are pens made of, what WERE they made of, different crafting techniques, the nibs!! Architects, UEFs, Obliques, friggin' Sailor nib weilding witchcraft!! And now I want everything lol! I want a Sheaffer Snorkel, I want a Pineider Quill nib, I want a Platinum Coarse, I want a Namiki Maki-E... But I don't take that overwhelming amount of informations as "burnout fuel" if I can say it like that. It's the opposite actually. My nerd-ass know-it-all-ass CRAVES informations! So I just absorb whatever knowledge is laying around Just 2 weeks ago, I was introduced to another concept by Karina. She invited me to a "mini pen show" organized by Scriven in Montréal Verdun. It was suuuuper small in a café, there was maybe 10 people but... Everyone knew each other!? Don't tell me... It was a COMMUNITY!? There were awesome folks there doing exchanges, showing off their small buisnesses and all. I bought 2 pens there: My first ebonite pen from a guy named Darrin (he makes them himself! Buys the material then shoves a JoWo #6 on them!) and an Esterbrook J (1950s) From Fifteen Pens, my first Oblique!! I won't see them often since they're based in Ottawa, but if they come in town again, I'll be there for sure! TLDR: Nerd finally touches grass after being sheltered in his cave, Nerds is beyond excited

I truly miss the videos you did with the Happy Planner planners and your coffee chats.

Hello karyna I ordered a M600 Blue Ef from amazon but they sent me another pen with a B nib in black colour. How can I confirm if it is 400 or 600 because there is no obvious difference between the two different models. I find your videos very successful. You are cheerful and beautiful. ❤👏🏻

Great video!! This hobby feeds certain addictive behaviors… more more more! Consumption! But the endorphins soon recede after seeing the next beautiful pen. The remedy certainly is the concentration on the HOBBY itself: appreciation of writing. The hobby is USING pens, not buying stuff. By the way, lately, I see the Goulet guys quite critical. They want to sell stuff and feed you every day with disguised advertisements for enticing new stuff…

Boredom browsing. Oh my word. That is so true.

I don’t compare myself to others generally but I am just more exposed to more products through social media and email. More of a magpie thing than fomo. But equally harmful in terms of the impact on my wallet and having a comfortable clutter free home.

I definitely experienced burnout a few months after I started my channel. I felt a lot of pressure to have certain planners and supplies, too. But because I went through that, once I got into FPs I I knew better. I probably will never buy a newly released pen. I don't see the point of it. 99% of the time they go on sale for 25-30% off about a month later. Also, like I said earlier, I'm not trying to prove myself to the FP community. I like what I like and share what I've learned.

❤

When enough people show enough interest in something to make it 'a thing', inevitably hierarchical structure, myths and so on are born. In the FP community there is a strong undercurrent that drives people to spend ever more on pens that don't give much more back to the user, just to 'keep up with the Joneses'. I've spoken about this on a few websites and been roundly shouted down by the longer term members - i.e. those who are often guilty of pushing the myth that FPs make you a better person and so on.

The yt channel "Not Buying It" published a video about commodity communities, which is a good watch! 100% applicable to the fountain pen "community."

As far as KZfaq reviewers goes, I began watching basic contributers years ago with The Fountain Pen Habit with Matt Armstrong (no longer contributing, alas) so maybe a Burned Out situation there. Over the years I have been made aware of others who have become abruptly or gradually invisible; One Pen Show comes to mind. Ah, the inevitabile grandure of the World as it chews us up and spits us out or consumes us alive, I suppose..... "Alas, poor Yorick. I knew him, Horatio..."

I’ve completed my journey; just bought my holy grail pen and I’m done. But my collection is based on one version of a model that I found appealing. Frankly I don’t understand people who buy Sailors, Twsbis, Lamys, etc in every single color.

I have decided to limit my pen purchases, I realized I do not need one of everything. I want just a few, probably less than 5 or 6, a couple middle of the road pens and I do want a Montblanc fountain pen, I have 4 Montblancs, just no fountain pen. I think MB is the fountain pen all others are judged by. Are they the best, probably not but I do still want one. I know how you feel, I have reached "burn out" with a couple of my other hobbies, I still enjoy them but have scaled way back, both in purchases and participating. For some people social media can be the worst thing that ever came along, it needs to be used wisely.

Just throwing this out here. If you ever want to sell that pastel primary manipulation, keep me in mind:D

I love pens. I love inks. But how much is too much? I am ready to part with pens and ink, which, in reality, I will not use. "Stuff" serves no purpose. At this point, I want to write for the pleasure of what I am holding in my hand and the color of ink that suits my eye.